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Jackets And Ties Optional This Summer For Ontario Government Employees

Ontario Government's Cool Clothing Campaign Promotes Energy Savings
QUEEN'S PARK, June 7 /CNW/ - Ontario government employees are being
encouraged to shed jackets and ties for the summer to help save energy and
fight climate change, announced Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"We're asking everyone to do their part to protect the environment," said
Premier McGuinty. "Wearing more comfortable clothing during warmer months cuts
down on the air conditioning we use and increases awareness about how
important it is that we all address the challenge of climate change."
The new summer campaign is being launched so thermostats in government
offices can be set at approximately 26 degrees. This reduces electricity use
and cuts carbon dioxide emissions to help fight climate change. The OPS-wide
campaign takes effect immediately. Government workers are being encouraged to
leave jackets and ties at home until after Labour Day.
"Reducing the energy we use is something everyone can do to help our
environment," said Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips. "This
initiative is one more way the OPS is helping to reduce the amount of energy
we consume. Every step we take to protect our environment is a step in the
right direction."
Ontario joins other businesses and governments, like Japan, in urging
employees to put away their jackets and ties for the summer to save energy.
Other tips for conserving during hot and humid summer weather include:
- Closing blinds during the daytime
- Setting air conditioning a few degrees higher, or turning it off
altogether when you're not home
- Limiting water use, especially during peak times
- Turning off lights and computers before you leave
- Minimizing the use of appliances, and
- Hang-drying laundry.
"If every one of us contributes, together we can have a real impact,"
said Premier McGuinty. "Just imagine the change we can effect, working
together. We can build a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Ontario for our
kids, their kids and the generations still to come."
Encouraging workers to dress appropriately for warmer weather is just one
way the McGuinty government is getting results that help the environment.
Other initiatives include:
- Protecting more than 1.8 million acres in the Golden Horseshoe from
urban sprawl with the Greenbelt Plan
- Supporting public transit by delivering $1.4 billion in gas tax
revenue over five years
- Improving air quality in the GTA by closing the Lakeview Generating
Station - the equivalent of removing 500,000 cars from our roads.
Since 2004-05, 114 energy conservation-related projects have been
launched across the province, resulting in a projected reduction of 83-million
kWh - enough to power nearly 7,000 average homes for one year. The Ontario
government is on track to meet its 10 per cent energy conservation target by
the end of 2007.
Disponible en français
www.ontario.ca/premier
www.fairness.ca